The Role of Art and Forgiveness in Democracy

Can art help heal a politically divided nation? As we navigate the complexities of forgiveness and remembrance, the answer may lie in our creative expressions.

Can art pave the way for a politically divided nation to move forward?

Five years ago, I moved to Washington, D.C., driven by a passion for the arts and a desire to engage with the pressing issues of our time. My journey has taken me from writing poetry in Oakland to composing operas in Amsterdam, but living in the capital has ignited a profound obsession with the concepts of forgiveness and forgetting. These themes are not just personal; they are deeply political. How do we, as citizens, reconcile the events of January 6th with our collective conscience?

Forgiveness requires a deep personal commitment to healing, yet it also demands a societal reckoning. Since the pandemic, we have traversed a landscape of national trauma, and it seems we have not invested enough in public healing. This lack of investment leads us to the question of forgetting. When books are banned and history is erased, we are collectively asked to forget. This systematic erasure manifests in our schools and public discourse, where contested facts and misinformation create a culture of confusion.

Is it possible to remember and forgive?

The challenge lies in whether we can remember and forgive simultaneously. What role does art play in this delicate balance? Art has the potential to bridge the chasm between memory and forgiveness, allowing us to confront our past while envisioning a more compassionate future. My work at the Kennedy Center is not merely about social passivity; it’s about social impact.

People often ask me what art can do to foster a just society. But perhaps the more pressing question is: why don’t our healthcare systems resemble the fluidity of music? Why doesn’t our political apparatus flow like a well-crafted poem? We need to elevate art as a foundational element in constructing a framework for remembrance and forgiveness.

How can art help create a framework for remembrance and forgiveness?

This quest led me to a classical piece called "Carnival of the Animals" by Saint-Saëns. Traditionally, it is presented as a series of 14 movements, each inspired by a different creature in the animal kingdom. However, our rendition poses a different set of questions. What if "Carnival of the Animals" were performed in the Capitol on January 6th? Who were the animals present that day?

We must ask ourselves: can our democracy endure if we fail to cultivate the empathy necessary for forgiveness? Just as we use metals to manufacture cars and bricks to build structures, can we not also use art to forge empathy as a deliberate aspect of our economy?

For instance, our adaptation of "The Cuckoo" premiered during an election year when a presidential candidate faced federal charges for their involvement in the Capitol riots. Yet, "The Cuckoo" is not merely about chaos; it reflects on the toxic cycles that led to January 6th. It prompts us to consider how we can forgive those who acted in chaos if we do not remember the cycles of inaction that allowed such events to unfold.

How do we forgive the actors in chaos if we do not remember the cycles of inaction?

In this exploration, I am joined by the incredible Wendy Whelan, the artistic director of the New York City Ballet. Together, we breathe life into one of the animals from "Carnival of the Animals."

Around 2:30 PM on that fateful day, my mother texted me to check if I was safe. In truth, I was the one reaching out to her, concerned for her well-being. My mother, hailing from Haiti, has witnessed her share of chaos—riots, coups, and tyranny. When I asked her if she was excited about the performance, she replied with a knowing calmness; she had seen this before.

The cuckoo bird, with its repetitive call, symbolizes a cycle of history that often goes unrecognized. It reminds us that the human ear may perceive its song as mere repetition, yet it is a continuous prayer. This bird, often misunderstood, embodies the complexities of our shared experiences.

As we reflect on the past, we must remember that the cuckoo has been present through various historical moments, from economic downturns to political upheavals. It serves as a reminder that those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.

Conclusion

Art can be a powerful tool for healing and forgiveness in our democracy. As we navigate the complexities of our shared history, let us engage with art as a means of fostering empathy and understanding.

How can you incorporate art into your own journey of remembrance and forgiveness?